Carl and Aaron Hinrichs win
Labor Day Long Distance Race
by Bart Bartholomew

Racing conditions could not have been better for BVYC's annual Labor Day Long Distance Race.  A fleet of five boats started, using staggered start times, running before a 12 knot breeze under blue September skies with temperatures in the low eighties - - what more could a sailor hope for? 

Bart Bartholomew, Henry Otto and Troy Walker, in Bart's trusty old Clipper 26, started first and led the pack to the midway point and about two-thirds of the distance on the return leg.  Following Bart were Marti and Harriet Ottenheimer in their Catalina 22, Carl and Aaron Hinrichs in their Catalina 22, Scott Hedley and crew in their Flying Scot.  Last in the line were TJ Ciafone and Vlasta Kunc in TJ's Hobie 16.  (Perhaps it is worthwhile mentioning that, due to handicaps, the Hobie 16 wasn't allowed to start until 49 minutes after Bart.) 

All of a sudden Carl and Aaron's boat took off as though they had engaged their underwater thrusters.  Carl's boat passed Marti's and shot by Bart and was on his way to the finish.  Meanwhile, the Hobie 16 continued to make way equally as quickly as Carl and Aaron.  A few hundred meters short of the finish line the Hobie sped past Carl and the finish order for the race was now firmly decided - - until 20 feet short of the committee boat the Hobie 16 ran its bows under the water and pitch-poled forward barely missing the committee boat.  Carl and Aaron, quick to capitalize on another man's misfortune, poured on the coals and squeezed through the opening between the Hobie and the committee boat to win the race! 

Carl credits the win to his highly skilled crew, well-trimmed sails, and, of course, an able Captain.  The opponents are demanding that the boat be hauled for inspection and possible identification of the underwater thrusters.

WELL DONE, CARL and AARON!